HOME

Growing up and living one’s life on the prairie can draw one to buttons showing western history.  The Indian painted on this wooden button resembles Chief Joseph on the postage stamp from 1968.  Chief Joseph, who lived from 1840-1904, was a famous chief of the Nez Perce tribe.  The biographical information on the stamp reads: “He defended the rights of his people.  He was famed for war strategy and humanity to enemies”.

Two more Indian-theme buttons.  The one on the left is a two-piece construction, possibly aluminum.  It shows a warrior riding his pony out on a buffalo hunt.  The right button is sterling silver and shows a teepee.

This vegetable ivory button has a stenciled image of Buffalo Bill Cody, complete with mustaches and six-shooters.  He hosted a famous Wild West Show that traveled around the United States and Europe.

The metal button on the left is most likely for a child’s clothing.  It is stamped metal.  At right a riveted shanked button.  Where would the Wild West have been without a lawman?  Probably a lot wilder!

This 3¢ stamp from 1948 celebrates some Oklahoma history, honoring the Five Civilized Tribes.

A metal wobble shank work clothes button advertising the Pioneer brand of rugged work clothes.  These buttons had their heyday at the turn of the 20th century.

A large jasperware button, which is a type of porcelain, backed marked “S R ‘99” (Stella Rzanski) with a scene from the westward migration of early American settlers.

Two buttons made of plastic with transfers.  One can almost hear the galloping hooves, shouting of cowboys and Indians, and neighing of wild mustangs.

This is a ceramic button of Fort Dearborn in Illinois, which was located at what is now the intersection of Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue in the Loop area of Chicago at the foot of the Magnificent Mile.  Part of the fort outline is marked by plaques and a line embedded in the sidewalk in the area.  In 1933, at the Century of Progress Exhibition, a detailed replica of Fort Dearborn was erected as a fair exhibit.  As part of the celebration a United States postage stamp was issued.  Possibly this button was made at that time as a souvenir.

Buttons of the Old West         CLICK ON THE BUTTONS FOR A LARGER IMAGE